DHAKA: Bangladesh on Monday sought a review of a ban on key paceman Taskin Ahmed from international cricket, said a senior official of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
The International Cricket Council last week suspended Taskin and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny from bowling in international matches after an independent analysis found their bowling actions illegal.
The bans came as a blow to Bangladesh’s chances in the World Twenty20 after they lost to Pakistan by 55 runs in their opening match. The decisions also triggered days of protests in the cricket-crazy country with demonstrators calling the moves a conspiracy against Dhaka.
“Our Board president has already spoken to the ICC chairman and chief executive officer over the matter,” Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP.
“They gave us some feedback and on the basis of that we have sought a review of Taskin’s ban under the ICC regulations. We are trying to expedite the process of hearing,” he said.
Taskin and Arafat were the most successful Bangladesh bowlers against Pakistan, having claimed 2-32 and 2-34 respectively when others received a hammering at Eden Gardens in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata.
Left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib and all-rounder Shuvagata Hom have been named as their replacements.
Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza broke down to tears on Sunday ahead of their match against Australia in Bangalore, saying that the ban on Taskin was an “injustice” to his side.
“We want proper justice for Taskin,” Mortaza told reporters in Bangalore.
“We believe Taskin has a legal bowling action. We have laid down our observations to the BCB and we hope they would discuss the matter with the ICC.”
Scores of Bangladeshi cricket fans took to the streets of Dhaka on Sunday and Monday to express their outrage at the ICC decisions.
The demonstrators formed human chains as they marched along busy roads in the capital.
“Shame on you ICC. Your action is illegal,” one banner read on Sunday as young fans rallied against the bans.”
Bangladesh face an uphill task to make the semi-finals of the World T20 for the first time after losing their match to Pakistan last week.
The ICC launched a crackdown against suspect actions in 2014, which resulted in several leading bowlers being suspended, including the world’s former number one-ranked spinner Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal.
Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2016
